Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.” Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves. Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.
“Without winter there would be no spring, and without spring there would be no summer. So it is also in the spiritual life: a little consolation, and then a little grief—and thus little by little we work out our salvation. Let us accept everything from the hand of God. If He comforts us, let us thank Him. And if He doesn’t comfort us—let us thank Him.” + St. Anatoly of Optina
“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”
Trials do good. Do not be afraid. Our Christ struggled for forty days in the desert, but later he was served by Angels. Our Christ is very loving. Continuously, for our benefit, he allows great sorrow. For a short time we think that He has abandoned us, but because He feels sorrow, afterwards He loves us, He chokes us with His mercy, with His love. Never fear, only love our Christ. + St. Paisios the Athonite
For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
“He who abandons prayer abandons his salvation; he who is careless about praver is careless about his salvation; he who quits prayer renounces his salvation. + St. Ignatius Brianchaninov
God said to Moses, “I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I am has sent me to you.’”
“Prayer is the root, the fountain, the mother of a thousand blessings.” + St. John Chrysostom
For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
“He who has taken God into his soul will never feel lonely even in a desert.” + St. Nikolai Velimirovich
This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
"Let us not be terrified by the tempests that come upon us, but let us take courage, knowing that though we sail on a sea of troubles, we have Jesus as our pilot." + St. John Chrysostom
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?
“The first step toward freedom from anger is to keep the lips silent when the heart is stirred; the next, to keep thoughts silent when the soul is upset; the last, to be totally calm when unclean winds are blowing.” + St. John Climacus
But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.
“A fish that is alive swims against the flow of water. One that is dead floats down with the water. A true Christian goes against the current of sinful age. A false one is swept away by its swiftness.” + St. Philaret
I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first.
“God does not allow a trial unless something good comes of it. God allows everything for our good.” + St. Paisios the Athonite
Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
"If you knew how quickly people would forget about you after your death, you will not seek to please anyone but God." + St. John Chrysostom